Buratai: My Bangladesh experience helped in war against insurgency

Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, says the lessons he learned while on a course in the Bangladesh National Defence has been useful in counter insurgency operations in the north-east.

Buratai said this on Saturday while receiving Abu Shafiul Huq, Bangladesh chief of army staff, in Lagos.

He said that counter insurgency should be of utmost concern to armies across the world.

The army chief urged military around the world to take the issue of insurgency and terrorism seriously because they are difficult battles to overcome.

“The Bangladesh experience in counter insurgency is something that I brought to bear in the efforts to rid Nigeria of Boko Haram since my appointment as the Chief of army staff,” he said.

“Counter insurgency should be utmost importance to army across the world, the army in particular bears the brunt as they confront terrorists in very difficult terrain and indeed, sometimes within the population.

“It is a very, very difficult experience and it will continue to be difficult but it – insurgency can be countered through the use of intelligence.

“Counter insurgency is at best an intelligence operation.”

On his part, Huq commended the Nigerian army for the success it has recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram.

The Bangladesh army chief said his country and Nigeria had a lot of experience and knowledge to share in counter insurgency operations.